NEWS

World AIDS Week observed with walk, film, forum and more

CHAPEL HILL -- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Center for Healthy Student Behaviors is marking the world’s 21^st year in the fight against AIDS with a week of events Nov. 18 through 22 – held in connection with World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.

This year’s national theme centers on stigma and discrimination. Fear and shame associated with HIV have acted as barriers to prevention, awareness and social change, said Scott Butler, coordinator of human sexuality programs with the center, which is based within UNC’s Student Health Services.

"Individuals from several campus groups have been working very hard to attain a variety of special events for everyone’s benefit. The students here are outstanding advocates for a healthy society," said Butler. "We believe that HIV prevention, awareness and anti-discrimination represent very appropriate health issues to address within our campus and the UNC community."

Upcoming activities, all free to the public, will focus on how all community members can become more informed about HIV-AIDS, campus organizers said. Events at UNC include the following:

· Informational games and educational materials will be available at the Pit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 18 through 22. In addition, organizers will collect canned food, which will be donated to the Alliance of AIDS Services – Carolina. Financial contributions will be taken and donated to HIV-positive individuals needing medication aid in Africa. "Pit sits" are co-sponsored by the Center for Healthy Student Behaviors, Campus Y and the UNC American Red Cross Campus Group.

· An HIV forum at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 will explore HIV and discrimination, and international HIV cases. Dr. Robert Ryder, professor of epidemiology and director of the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness at the UNC School of Public Health, and Dr. Myron Cohen, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and director of the Center for HIV-STDs and Infectious Disease in the UNC School of Medicine, will give presentations. The location is room 209 of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union. A discussion will follow.

· A screening of the film "Philadelphia" will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 in room 209 of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union. A discussion will follow, and free pizza will be served. The event is sponsored by the Center for Healthy Student Behaviors and the World AIDS Day Planning Committee.

· Free, confidential walk-in oral HIV testing for students will be held noon to 4:30 pm. Nov. 21 at the Student Recreational Center. No appointment is necessary.

· The "Safer Sex Squad," a group of students who worked on the World AIDS Day Planning Committee, will be on Franklin Street from 10 p.m. Nov. 21 through 2 a.m. Nov. 22 distributing educational materials to the community.

· The week’s activities will conclude Nov. 22 with the fifth-annual World AIDS Day Walk at Polk Place at 2 p.m. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m., and long-sleeved World AIDS Day T-shirts will be given to the first 300 participants. A reception will follow.

Canned food collection boxes will be available at all events. For more information, call (919) 966-6586.

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World AIDS Day contact: Scott Butler, (919) 966-8123 or sbutler@email.unc.edu